June 21, 2026 to June 27, 2026

This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news for farmers, seed-growers, ranchers and their upstream suppliers and downstream buyers. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to track the upstream and downstream forces affecting Agri-Food? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Freight & Ports and Oil & Gas. Also consider subscribing to our Agri-Food - Ottawa edition covering critical GR news north of the border.

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Federal Government News

White House Executive Order on Regenerative Agriculture

Executive Order 14212, issued June 25, instructs USDA to expand the Regenerative Agriculture Pilot Program and share findings with the industry. EPA is required to expedite registration for safer chemical alternatives, while federal agencies are directed to develop new frameworks for cumulative chemical exposure risks in the food supply. USDA is tasked with advancing investment in precision agriculture technologies and fostering public-private partnerships. The order clarifies compliance with current laws and appropriations, and imposes no new enforceable legal rights.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

USDA Proposed Rule: Disclosure of Foreign Investment in Agricultural Land

USDA has issued a proposed rule updating the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act (AFIDA) regulations, transferring authority from FSA to the Office of Homeland Security. The rule establishes mandatory electronic submission of land transaction reports, expands reporting requirements for foreign adversary entities, and increases penalty accrual rates for late filings—up to 2.5% weekly for designated entities, capped at 25% of fair market value. The changes redefine 'agricultural land' using 2022 NAICS categories and require additional information from beneficial owners and shell corporations. Public comment is open through August 10, and the new requirements will take effect following final rule publication.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

EPA Review: Agricultural Worker Protection Standard Recordkeeping (Renewal)

EPA has submitted for OMB review its information collection extension covering agricultural worker protection standard training, notification, and recordkeeping. Requirements apply to employers in farms, nurseries, forestry, and greenhouse operations under 40 CFR part 170, affecting over 10.8 million respondents and totaling more than 10 million burden hours annually. The proposed extension maintains current activities and per-response burdens but reduces respondent numbers, resulting in a net decrease of 50,974 hours. Public feedback is solicited until July 22.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

USDA Emergency Relief Program 2022 (ERP 2022): OMB Review

USDA's Farm Service Agency submitted an information collection for the Emergency Relief Program 2022, supporting crop producers affected by natural disasters in 2022, including droughts, floods, and wildfires. Up to 218,640 respondents are included, with a total burden estimated at 22,255 hours. Participants who received ERP payments must respond to eligibility certification notices to retain payments. Comments are accepted until July 27.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FDA Finalizes Guidance for Anthelmintics Effectiveness Studies in Bovines, Ovines, and Caprines

FDA has released final guidance documents (GFI #95, #96, and #97) establishing harmonized requirements for effectiveness studies of anthelmintic drugs in cattle, sheep, and goats. Developed through the International Cooperation on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Registration of Veterinary Medicinal Products, these documents standardize protocols for drug trial design and data acceptance across the US, EU, and Japan, supporting universal regulatory approval. The guidance aligns with FDA's good guidance practices, is nonbinding, and references previously approved information collection requirements.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Farming Opportunities Training and Outreach Grant Program Reauthorization Act of 2026

Bill 4848 was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. The proposal renews the training and outreach grants program targeting farmer education, resource access, and skills development.

Sources: www.congress.gov

United States-Israel Agriculture Cooperation Improvement and Expansion Act

Bill 4853 was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. It seeks to strengthen bilateral agricultural R&D, technology transfer, and collaborative industry initiatives.

Sources: www.congress.gov

BINS Act of 2026

Bill 4852 was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Provisions address grain storage infrastructure and food system resilience, with potential direct implications for grain logistics.

Sources: www.congress.gov

SCALE Act of 2026

Bill 4851 was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. The act addresses scaling agricultural production and industry adaptation, including grant mechanisms for crop and livestock expansion.

Sources: www.congress.gov

A bill to amend the Food Security Act of 1985 to require the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a small farm EQIP subprogram under the environmental quality incentives program, and for other purposes.

Bill 4867 was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. It proposes a new EQIP subprogram focused on small farms, with attention to environmental incentives and practice adoption.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• The Koch-Connected, Millionaire Populist Threatening Big Agriculture: WSJ covers challenges to established agribusiness from new populist figures.
• The Iran War’s Persistent Threat to Farmers in Poor Countries: NYT analyzes how ongoing conflict impacts agricultural output in vulnerable regions.
• Trump Issues Order to Reduce Pesticides in Food as Kennedy Allies Fume: NYT reports on Executive Order targeting chemical use in American food supply.
• As Belgium bakes in the heat, concerns grow over milk and meat production: Reuters notes rising heat's effects on dairy and beef in European markets.
• To stick, the EU’s deforestation regulation needs to protect forests without sidelining small farmers: Reuters examines challenges facing EU forest protection rules and agricultural producers.

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